Crabby’s Dockside, Clearwater, Florida

If I may…step right up, seafood enthusiasts! Let me introduce you to Crabby’s Dockside, a culinary wonderland located in Clearwater, Florida, where you’ll be transported to the world of delectable seafood dishes that will have your taste buds begging for more!

I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Crabby’s Dockside four times now. On my most recent trip, my husband and I were on a long weekend fishing trip, and we knew we had to stop by this gem twice during our stay. We visited on a Thursday evening around 7 pm, and while there was a 30-minute wait, they took our cell phone number so we could explore the beautiful docks while we waited.

But let me tell you, it was worth every second of that wait. From the moment you step in, your senses are assaulted with the aroma of fresh seafood and spices. The first thing we ordered was the Avocado Egg Rolls, which are house-made egg rolls stuffed with chunks of avocado, cream cheese, and chipotle peppers, and then lightly fried and served with sweet pepper jam. The explosion of flavors, the crispy texture, and the slight heat made for a divine starter.

If you’re looking for a wide selection of seafood, Crabby’s Dockside has got you covered. The menu is packed with a variety of dishes but let me highlight their Mahi-Mahi. I’ve had this dish every time I’ve visited, and they never disappoint with it.  I recommend it blackened. It’s cooked to perfection, juicy and flavorful, and the accompaniments just add to the whole experience.

The real showstopper this time was the Hogfish Imperial that my husband ordered. It’s topped with hand-picked Bairdi crab meat and a white wine butter sauce that will have you closing your eyes and savoring every bite. This was our first time trying hogfish, and I’m glad we did because it was nothing short of phenomenal.  Hogfish themselves like to dine on crustaceans and this gives the Hogfish mean a somewhat crustacean meat-like flavor. 

Crabby’s Dockside is the only restaurant I know of in the area that will cook your fresh catches from fishing charters. We stopped in for lunch, brought them our fresh Spanish Mackerel catches from our fishing charter with Reel Deal Sportfishing, and they cooked it to perfection. For $10.99/pound, they’ll cook it fried, grilled, blackened, or a combination, and the price includes fries and coleslaw. We went half fried and half blackened, and it was a mouthwatering delight.

The staff is always welcoming and attentive, and they didn’t seem annoyed that we brought our own fresh catches. It added to the charm of the place, and we left feeling like part of the family. I can’t wait to return to Crabby’s Dockside in January 2024. I know you’ll fall in love with this restaurant, too.